Vibrating reed relay



NOV. 9, 1965 w MAYER 3,217,123

VIBRATING REED RELAY Filed Dec. 13, 1963 FIG 3 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM R. MAYER ATTORNEY 3,217,123 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,217,123 VllBRATING REED RELAY William Ray Mayer, Pana, Ill., assiguor to P. R.

Mallory & Co. Inc, llndianapolis, Ind, 22 corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 330,340 4 (Claims. (Cl. 200-90) This invention relates to improvements in vibrating reed devices and particularly to devices capable of adjustment insofar as operating frequency is concerned.

Although the invention is adaptable to multiple reed applications, the present invention is exemplified herein as a single reed relay for simplification, clarity and illustrative purposes.

'Most known relays and vibratory reed devices consist of numerous parts which add to the cost of fabrication. Further, such prior devices require a much more critical adjustment while the present invention lends itself to low cost mass production and facilitates critical adjustment when necessary.

One of the objects of my invention is the utilization of a unitary "body molded of insulative material to which all other cooperating parts may be securely fastened or assembled.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vibratory device wherein all operating parts are confined within the circular periphery of the main body.

Another object of my invention is to provide a winding spool, and support for the electro-magnet, which is integrally part of the main body.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a miniature compact vibrating reed device capable of being readily sealed hermetically.

Although the embodiment herein described pertains to one version of a single resonant reed relay, it will be apparent that a plurality of similar reeds could be accommodated in a single holder mounted within a cooperating aperture contained in a modified main "body, thereby controlling a plurality of circuits selectively responsive to predetermined frequencies.

A relay successfully utilizing four (4) reeds has been constructed wherein the protruding ends of the reeds were either increased in weight by the addition of solder or re duced in weight by removal of material to alter the fre* quency as desired.

Further objects of my invention will be apparent when the following description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an isometric exploded view of my invention in its entirety.

FIGURE 2 is useful in showing the operating characteristics of the reed assembly and represents a partial cross-sectional view of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the assembly showing three of the conductive elements or connecting ends thereof protruding into space provided for wire connections.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of FIGURE 3 showing an optional double-D shaped ring magnet.

Generally speaking, this relay responds to the presence of an alternating full-wave voltage of a particular frequency impressed across its coil. In dormant position, the relay has the reed extended through the center of the body with the contact arm pressing against the adjusting arm which is positioned by the adjusting screw to create a small gap between the reed and the contact arm. This gap is generally known as contact spacing which determines the operating dwell time of the relay and effects the range of frequency at which the relay will respond at various voltage levels.

When an AJC. voltage of a random frequency is applied to the coil the reed will be magnetized at its tip end alternately north and south. A permanent magnet arrangement is placed with one north and one south pole near the reed. Magnetization induced in the reed tip alternately polarizes the reed tip to alternately attract and repel it from one pole to the other. The magnitude of this push-pull effect is insufficient to build up a perceptible motion of the reed except when the frequency of the driving force is very close to the natural vibration frequency of the reed itself. In this way, the relay becomes most sensitive to a given frequency. The mechanical excellence of the reed itself, including its method of mounting, will determine how much response is obtained at frequencies slightly above or below the peak frequency of the reed. The electromagnetic coupling resulting from the design determines how sensitive the response of the reed may be in terms of its amplitude of vibrations as caused by small amounts of electrical energy applied to its driving coil. When the relay is driven by a signal of adequate power at proper frequency, the reed strikes the contact arm closing the external controlled circuit. From the instant of closure the contact arm is deflected by the motion of the reed to maintain electrical continuity during a definite port-ion of an operating cycle. As the contact arm is thus depressed it is moved away from the adjusting arm for a small distance until the center reed reaches maximum amplitude. As the reed returns toward center the contact arm follows until it is stopped by striking the adjusting arm. The total portion of an operating cycle during which the center reed makes electrical connection with the contact arm is referred to as the dwell time and may be controlled from 1% to about 25% of an operating cycle, depending upon the position of the adjusting arm, and intensity of the applied coil voltage.

The operating frequency of the relay is determined by the length and cross section weight of the operating reed. This design facilitates fast and easy adjustment of of such frequency by allowing easy access to the tip of th reed for removal of material by grinding or addition of material by soldering. By this means, exact adjustment of frequency is readily attainable.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, I utilize a main body 10 molded of a suitable insulative material comprising a generally cylindrical shape having a flanged end 11 of greater diameter than the body proper, said flanged end having embedded therein a plurality of conductive elements 12 radially arranged to mate with a standard tube socket. Further, the flanged end has a shaped recess molded therein to receive a pin connector 13.

The main body 10 has a first flat section 14 having threaded apertures 15 to receive stack mounting screws 16 and an aperture 17 cooperating with a longitudinal bore 18 through which a vibrating reed 19 extends. The aperture 17 provides passage for stationary contact arm 20 to cooperate with vibrating reed 19. The main body 10 has a second flat section 21 molded therein to provide space for at least one protruding conductive element 12 to be fastened electrically to coil end(s) 22.

A stack assembly which mounts on the first flat section 14 consists of a bearing plate 23 against which contact arm adjusting screw 24 bears to stabilize adjustment which might change if the adjusting screw imbedded itself into the said first flat section 14 either by operating vibrations or as a result of high temperature. A spacer 25 placed just under the adjusting arm 26 allows adjustment of said adjusting arm in either vertical direction to vary the gap between contact arm 20 and vibrating reed 19. Adjusting arm 26 is of substantially U shape construction having, in addition to two stack mounting screw clearance holes, an aperture 27 whereby said arm is capable of easier adjustment. Threaded aperture 28 is provided to receive contact arm adjusting screw 24, with one leg of the U of said adjusting arm falling directly under a narrowed extension of contact arm to raise or lower said contact arm as desired. A damper spring 29 made from a suitable spring material is formed to exert pressure against the contact arm 20 to minimize secondary oscillation thereof. A pressure plate 30 which may be crowned is provided to prevent loosening of the stack mounting screws 16.

A sub-assembly consists of a spade shaped reed 19, which is coated with a heavy deposit of highly conductive metal such as gold, a reed holder 31 slotted to receive the spade end of said reed 19 and electrically secured thereto, a reed and reed pin 32 connector terminal 13 securely staked to reed holder 31 in proper orientation to allow the vibrating end of the reed to mate squarely with permanent magnets 33. Proper orientation of the reed assembly is further assured when the spade end of the reed is assembled into a cooperating slot molded into the flanged end of main body 10. When said reed assembly is inserted into longitudinal bore 18 and secured, such as by epoxy, the vibrating narrowed end of the reed rests in a central position between permanent magnets 33. The permanent magnets, of cast or pressed material, are pressed into diametrically opposed bores 34 in main body 10. Bores 34 are stopped short of cooperation with longitudinal bore 18 to control the depth of penetration, of said magnets. A single ring magent 39 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 cemented in place and magnetized across a diameter, may be used in place of the two pin magnets 33 as shown in FIGURE 1. An electro-magnet 35 is wound on the aforementioned spool 36 which is integral to main body 10, said electro-magnet influencing said vibrating reed 19 into a predetermined cycle of operations when energized.

An optional plate 38, apertured to correspond with conductive elements 12 and numbered or lettered accordingly, may be used. The complete assembly is then placed in a container 37, which may be apertured for access to adjusting screw 24. The container is then closed as by crimping, spinning or other suitable methods.

I claim as my invention:

1. A relay comprising an insulative form having an axial passage, a plurality of magnetic poles positioned about said passage, a reed including a free end and a fixed end, said reed positioned in said passage, said free end of said reed extending beyond said insulative form a suflicient amount to permit changing the mass of said reed, a reed holder for fixedly retaining said fixed end of said reed, said free end of said reed being free to be vibrationally displaced with respect to said magnetic poles, an adjustable contact assembly retained on said insulative form and cooperatively associated with said free end of said reed for varying the dwell time of said reed, said contact assembly comprising a screw adjustable contact arm protruding through an aperture in said form to a position of close proximity with said reed to determine said dwell time of said reed, and a damper spring biased against said contact arm, said damper spring for substantially preventing secondary oscillation of said contact arm, and an apertured metallic enclosure interfitting with said form so as to provide a housing, said aperture for permitting external adjustment of said screw adjustable contact arm.

2. A relay comprising an insulative form having an axial passage, conductive elements connected in one end of said form, a connector recessed in said end of said form for electrically connecting one of said conductive elements to a reed holder, first and second parallel flat sections set in from said form end, a recessed spool adjacent an opposite form end retaining thereon an electromagnet, a plurality of permanent magnet means extending radially and paced centrally from said passage, a flat spade shaped reed including a free end, said reed extending through said passage, slots in said passage cooperating with said reed holder for retaining said spade end of said reed in a substantially fixed position, said free end of said reed vibrationally displaced with respect to said permanent magnets and said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized, an adjustable contact assembly retained on one of said flat sections and cooperatively associated with said free end of said reed for varying the dwell time of said reed, said contact assembly comprising a stand-01f spacer, an adjusting arm having a threaded aperture, an adjusting screw retained in said threaded aperture for positioning said adjusting arm as said screw is turned in said threaded aperture, a contact arm engaging said adjusting arm and positioned thereby, said contact arm protruding through an aperture in said form to a position of close proximity with said reed to determine said dwell time of said reed, and a damper spring biased against said contact arm, said damper spring for substantially preventing secondary oscillation of said contact arm, and an apertured metallic enclosure interfitting with said form so as to provide a housing, said aperture for permitting external adjustment of said adjusting screw.

3. A relay comprising an insulative form having an axial passage, conductive elements connected in one end of said form, a connector recessed in said end of said form for electrically connecting one of said conductive elements to a reed holder, first and second parallel fiat sections set in from said form end, a recessed spool adjacent an opposite form end retaining thereon an electromagnet, a plurality of permanent magnet means extending radially and spaced centrally from said passage, a flat spade shaped reed including a free end, said reed extending through said passage, said free end of said reed extending beyond said insulative form a suflicient amount to permit changing the mass of said reed, slots in said passage COOperating with said reed holder for retaining said spade end of said reed in a substantially fixed position, said free end of said reed vibrationally displaced with respect to said permanent magnets and said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized, an adjustable contact assembly retained on one of said flat sections and cooperatively as sociated with said free end of said reed for varying the dwell time of said reed, said contact assembly comprising a stand-off spacer, an adjusting arm having a threaded aperture, an adjusting screw retained in said threaded aperture for positioning said adjusting arm as said screw is turned in said threaded aperture, a contact arm engaging said adjusting arm and positioned thereby, said contact arm protruding through an aperture in said form to a position of close proximity with said reed to determine said dwell time of said reed, a stand-off spacer for permitting manual adjustment of said adjusting arm, a pressure plate located so that said adjusting screw turns thereon, and a damper spring biased against said contact arm and said pressure plate, said damper spring for substantially preventing secondary oscillation of said contact arm, and an apertured metallic enclosure interfitting with said form so as to provide a housing, said aperture for permitting external adjustment of said adjusting screw.

4. A relay comprising an insulative form having an axial passage, conductive elements connected in one end of said form, a connector recessed in said end of said form for electrically connecting one of said conductive elements to a reed holder, first and second parallel flat sections set in from said form end, a recessed spool adjacent an opposite form end retaining thereon an electromagnet, a plurality of cylindrical permanent magnet means extending radially and spaced centrally from said passage, a flat spade shaped reed including a free end, said reed extending through said passage, said free end of said reed extending beyond said insulative form a sufiicient amount to permit changing the mass of said reed, slots in said passage cooperating with said reed holder for retaining said spade end of said reed in a substantially fixed position, said free end of said reed vibrationally displaced with respect to said permanent magnets and said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized, an adjustable contact assembly retained on one of said flat sections and cooperatively associated with said free end of said reed for varying the dwell time of said reed, said contact assembly comprising a stand-off spacer, an adjusting arm having a threaded aperture, an adjusting screw retained in said threaded aperture for positioning said adjusting arm as said screw is turned in said threaded aperlure, a contact arm engaging said adjusting arm and positioned thereby, said contact arm protruding through an aperture in said form to a position of close proximity with said reed to determine said dwell time of said reed, a stand-off spacer for permitting manual adjustment of said adjusting arm, a pressure plate located so that said adjusting screw turns thereon, and a damper spring biased against said contact arm and said pressure plate, said damper spring for substantially preventing secondary oscillation of said contact arm, and an apertured metallic enclosure interfitting with said form so as to provide a housing, said aperture for permitting external adjustment of said adjusting screw.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,547,026 3/51 Winkler 20093 2,758,173 8/56 Riley 200-90 X 2,848,579 8/58 Russell ZOO-90 X 2,922,859 1/60 Howell 200-90 3,128,357 4/64 Hartig 20093 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

1. A RELAY COMPRISING AN INSULATIVE FORM HAVING AN AXIAL PASSAGE, A PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC POLES POSITIONED ABOUT SAID PASSAGE, A REED INCLUDING A FREE END AND A FIXED END, SAID REED POSITIONED IN SAID PASSAGE, SAID FREE END OF SAID REED EXTENDING BEYOND SAID INSULATIVE FORM A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT TO PERMIT CHANGING THE MASS OF SAID REED, A REED HOLDER FOR FIXEDLY RETAINING SAID FIXED END OF SAID REED, SAID FREE END OF SAID REED BEING FREE TO BE VIBRATIONALLY DISPLACED WITH RESPECT TO SAID MAGNETIC POLES, AN ADJUSTABLE CONTACT ASSEMBLY RETAINED ON SAID INSULATIVE FORM AND COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FREE END OF SAID REED FOR VARYING THE DWELL TIME OF SAID REED, SAID CONTACT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A SCREW ADJUSTABLE 